Automatic coupling.



PATENTED OCT. 27, 1903,.

No 742,317. I

F. MOP. & H. O. HARVEY.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING. APPLICATION PILBD-NOV.4,1902

no MOD 2 sums-sum- 1 wa was: Paws 50.. PHOIQUTHQ. WASHINGYON v PA'TENTED ocT. 27, 1903.

RMOP. & H. (L HARVEY.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING,

APPLIOAITION FILED-NOV. 4. 1902.

1T0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. i

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WITNESSES; a mwswro/es.

THE NORRI! PETERS in; PHOI'DLLYHO.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES Patented October 27, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS MCFARLAND HARVEY AND HAROLD CHARLES HARVEY, OF PENZANOE, ENGLAND.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,317, dated October 27, 1903. Application filed November 4, 1902. Serial No. 130,097. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANCIS MOFARLAND HARVEY and HAROLD CHARLES HARVEY, sub

jects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland,

residing at 5 Trewartha Terrace, Penzance, in the county of Cornwall, England, have i11- vented a new and useful Improved Automatic Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved means for coupling wagons, cars, trucks, and the like, the objects being to provide apparatus which shall be automatic in its action and to obviate the risks incidental to the methods of coupling ordinarily adopted, a substantial economy being effected in the cost of working owing to the operations of coupling and uncoupling being rendered capable of accomplishment with greater facility and expedition than heretofore.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing the adjacent ends of two railway-wagons provided with the improved coupling device, the latter being in the coupled position. Fig. 2 is a plan correspond-- ing with Fig. 1, the apparatus being viewed from below; and Figs. 3 and 4 are end views of the respective wagons detached or uncoupled, the positions of the parts ofthe coupling device corresponding with Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively fragmentary side and end views showing the draw-bar set for coupling.

A coupling device constructed according to the present invention consists of a draw-bar or male part A, whereof one end is attached to the frame F of the Wagon, car, truck, or the like in such a manner as to permit of a rotative movement, while the other end is formed or provided with a head a, which may be in the form of a segment of a circle with two flat sides. This head is arranged to pass between the vertical bars I) b of the female part B, the latter being fixed to the frame F of the attaching wagon, car, truck, or the like. The rotative or swiveling draw-bar A is fitted with a balance-weight or counterpoise a and with a lateral arm or tongue of, so arranged as to automatically engage with a catch 0 when the draw-bar is rotated or turned into position for passing between the bars b b of the female part. The catch 0 is preferably carried by a rod or plunger 0, which upon the coupling taking place is moved in a longitudinal direction by means of an opposing plunger c, a spring 0 on the rod 0 returning the latter, together with the catch 0, to the original position. The draw-bar A is rotated into position for engaging or disengaging by means of levers D D, secured at the extremities of a transverse shaft d, the latter being mounted in brackets d at the end of the vehicle. The levers D D may be so arranged that, if desired, the draw-bar A when unlocked may be held in that position for shunting or other purposes. By the use of a draw-bar furnished with a .head of the form above referred to a direct tension is insured at varying angles,

' bar or male part, the lever D is moved from the position indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This movement of the lever rotates the shaftfd' and raises the arm a through its chain connection a thus rotating the draw bar A through an angle of ninety degrees. The arm or. in its vibratory movement passes over the inclined portion of the catch 0 and takes a bearing upon the ledge 0 thereby holding the draw-bar in the position to which it has been rotated, the weight a meanwhile moving from the pendent to the horizontal altitude. In this position the head aof-thedrawbar may enter between the bars I) bof the female part. Upon bringing the wagons together the rod 0 comes into contact withthe plunger 0 and forces the catch Qtoward the car, whereupon the arm a is released, and the head ahaving meanwhile entered between the bars I; b the weighted arm a effects the rotation of the male part, returning it to the position shown particularly in Fig. 3. The draw-bar A is thus retained Within the female part of the coupling.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the wagon is furnished at one end with a male part or draw-bar and at the other end with a coupler or female part. It will, however, be apparent that under certain conditions of working it may be expodient'to furnish a vehicle with, say, a female part at each end or with a male part and a female part at each end. The arrangement most appropriate for any particular service will, however, depend upon the conditions of working which pertain to the railway or other system whereon the use of our coupling device is in contemplation.

The improved means, although designed for application to a railway-wagon or the like, may be readily rendered capable of use in connection with other appliances for conveying materials, such as those employed in mines, collieries, and similar situations. It

will, moreover, be understood that the device may be employed for all services where towing and hauling appliances are necessary.

What we claim as our invention, anriLdesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic coupler for cars, trucks and the like, the combination, with a female part and a laterally-weighted rotative draw-bar, of an arm a secured to the draw bar, a catch 0 for engagement with the arm and plungers c c for releasing the catch, arranged and operating substantially as set forth.

2. In an automatic coupler for cars, trucks and the like, the combination with a female part having an inner curved face, and a laterally-weighted rotative draw-bar having a head curved to correspond with the curved face of the female part, of an arm a secured to the draw-bar, a catch 0 for engagement with the arm and plungers c c for releasing the catch, arranged and operating, substantially as set forth. a

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS llICFARLAND HARVEY. I HAROLD CHARLES HARVEY.

\Vitncsses:

A. W. H. HARVEY, W. Ancuss, HARVEY. 

